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MATANUSKA GLACIER:
Join us for a fun filled day exploring the Matanuska Glacier. "The largest glacier accessible by car in Alaska". The scenic two hour drive north east of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway makes it an easy day trip from Anchorage. (SEE MAP) The matanuska is a beautiful valley glacier twenty four miles long and four miles wide decending twelve thousand feet to the terminus. Nestled in the breathtaking Chugach mountains. Our unique location gives us some of the best weather in the state of Alaska.

It is a fifteen to twenty minute hike to the ice for those who want to explore on their own, or a fully guided glacier trek for those interested in learning about glaciology and history. Ice climbing instruction is also available.



MAP



:: Reasonable rates :: Glacier Access :: Gift Shop :: Camping ::
:: Snacks :: Film:: Large Groups Welcome::




Glacier Park

Located at Mile 102 Glenn Hwy.
Open March to October 31st
off season by appointment only
1 800 253-4480 or 907 745-2534

 









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GLACIER FACTS

The Matanuska Glacier is a large ice flow, 24 miles long and 4 miles wide at the terminus, averaging approximately 2 miles in width. This glacier is a valley glacier; it exists on a valley floor. The majority of glaciers in Alaska today are smaller alpine glaciers which hang off mountain slopes.
The Matanuska is an active glacier which advances at one foot per day. It takes approximately 250 years for the ice to form upglacier and advance to the terminus. The ice of an active glacier always moves forward due to gravity; like water in a river, the ice will flow downvalley. When ice melts at a higher rate than snow accumulates, the glacier margin 'recedes'. (T
he term 'receding' does not refer to the ice actually travelling back up the valley.)

A frequently asked question concerns the cause of the blue ice. The density of glacier ice allows the entire spectrum of light to be absorbed with the exception of the blue light which is reflected, and can therefore be seen by your eye.







 



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